MTV UPS MAGGIE MALINA

Said Curren: "In just four years, Maggie not only created MTV’s Original Movies for Television division, but has put it squarely on the map. She has adeptly built the division which continues to achieve critical and ratings success, by discovering and guiding innovative and diverse projects that have attracted amazing talent—from actors to directors to writers. Plus, she actually watched Dead Man on Campus.”

Malina was instrumental in the creation of MTV’s Original Movies for Television division, which she was brought on to start up in September 1998 by MTV & VH1 President of Entertainment Brian Graden. She has since overseen the development and production of 10 original movies for television, including Anatomy of a Hate Crime, which chronicled Matthew Shepard story and MTV’s Hip Hopera: Carmen, which starred Destiny’s Child’s Beyonce Knowles in her acting debut.

Malina is a graduate of Brown University who came to MTV from Gale Anne Hurd’s Pacific Western Productions, where she served in a variety of capacities including Vice President of Production and Co-Producer on the Paramount/MTV Films feature, Dead Man on Campus. Malina.

MTV also announced that the next two projects slated to air from Malina’s division will be Volcano High and Monster Island. Additionally, the network divulged info on the next 10 films it has in development, none of which star the Osbournes or Gideon Yago.

Volcano High is the division’s first acquisition. The Korean high-school kung-fu flick will be subtitled, with hip-hop music and celebrity voices added. Volcano High will air in the fourth quarter. Monster Island, which goes into production next month, will air in the first quarter of next year. The creature-feature spoof revolves around mutant insects attacking an MTV concert event on a tropical island. (Just like what happened on MTV Spring Break last year.) A group of teens fight the monsters in order to rescue a captive pop star. Malina serves as Executive in Charge of Production on both projects.

Here’s what else MTV’s Original Movies for Television group has on its slate:

MTV's Hip-Hopera: Faust: The follow-up to the hip-hopera Carmen, this is an updated hip-hop version of the classic tale in which Mephistopheles grants old Faust's wish to be young again. Here, Faust becomes a young record executive to win the heart of a rap diva—with tragic results.

Level 5: Based on a true story, this movie takes place at a behavioral modification center, where one girl and her friends decide to take on the system suppressing their individualism. Leslie Libman (Oz) is attached to direct.

Undecided (Working Title): This romantic comedy is set against the competitive college admissions process, taking an irreverent look at life and love in the time of affirmative action. Lalo Lopez (creator of nationally syndicated comic strip "La Cucaracha,") and Esteban Zul are attached to write and direct.

Napster: MTV exclusively presents the authorized story Shawn Fanning’s transformation from typical teen to tech icon, and his crash back to earth. With music by Metallica and Dr. Dre.

Gloss: An original musical which follows one girl’s transformation from public high school misfit to high society "it girl".

;-): This ensemble comedy of manners exposes the dual lives of chat room junkies, and watches sparks fly when their fantasies and realities collide. No word on how to pronounce this title.

Phantom: The Phantom of the Opera re-contextualized in a contemporary performing arts high school. Think Fame-tom of the Opera.

Show No Mercy: Inspired by the real-life murder of a teenage girl by hardcore Slayer fans. The film asks fi band can be held responsible for the actions of its listeners? Even if it’s Slayer?

Haunted Crib: A hip-hop comedy, in which a successful rapper discovers that his brand-new home is haunted by the ghost of a former mafia don.

Undercover Girl (Working Title): Also inspired by a true story, this movie follows the life of a UCLA undergrad who puts her life in jeopardy by secretly working as a "fact finder" for a special government operation in order to investigate hate groups.